Mullins labels Townend a 'special guy' after State Man bolts up in the County

Friday: County Hurdle, Cheltenham

Willie Mullins showered Paul Townend with praise by labelling Ireland's champion jockey a "special guy" after State Man confirmed himself a handicap good thing in the County Hurdle.

State Man was all the rage for punters, who sent him off 11-4 favourite for one of the most competitive handicaps in the jumps season, and it rarely looked as if they wouldn't collect.

Part of that was because Townend rode State Man with the utmost confidence. He dropped out towards the rear before swinging into the straight hard on the steel. As soon as he hit the front, it was all over, and State Man quickened clear to the delight of punters.

Mullins said: "It takes a special guy to jump off where he did in behind runners and confidence to go around the outside. I could see him coming down the hill, he'd so much horse and was trying to pick the right one to follow through.

"He picked the right one, came through and got the outside rail and, when you're riding with confidence, things fall into place for you.

County Hurdle: full result and race replay

"That's where Paul is at the moment. He's in that zone. It's the same with Paul every year. When things go bad, he gets better. He just fights back."

Mullins and Townend were completing a quick opening-race double after Vauban stamped his authority over his rivals in the Triumph Hurdle. It became an opening-race treble when The Nice Guy stormed to Albert Bartlett glory.

Mullins, the most successful trainer in Cheltenham history, revealed the Marie and Joe Donnelly-owned novice would have Grade 1 targets at Punchestown in the spring.

He said: "State Man could have easily gone to the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. We'll go back for Graded novices and he'll probably go to Punchestown now.

"We're absolutely delighted. Any day you have a winner at Cheltenham is a great day. To have a double is fantastic."

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